John Fitzgerald Kerry. Prominent senator. Brave soldier. Civil activist. The next president.

America needs change. Bush has made a lot of mistakes as president. If Bush is reelected, we will just drown in more bad decisions and more lies. We need good leadership and we need to move out of the stagnation that America is in, and Kerry is the man to do it. His plans allow American families to get ahead, make healthcare a right for all Americans, create independence from Middle East oil and continue to provide rights to women — there is really no other option.

Kerry is the only one qualified for the job. As senator, he fought to strengthen our economy, which has gone awry since Bush has been in office. He has improved public education, which he will continue to do so as president. As for the No Child Left Behind act — that plan already has failed once — it will not be better the second time around. Most importantly, he has protected our environment and will persist in that endeavor as president.

John Edwards, Kerry’s running mate, is another qualified leader. The two together will be unstoppable in their fight for everyday American families — a stronger America, if you will. Kerry, unlike Bush, can speak fluently and more than three words at a time, does not lie to Americans and respects all people, no matter their sexual preference.

Democrats are the party of the people. They fight to make the lives of regular, everyday American people the best they can be while staying within budget. First of all, more jobs need to be created. After Bush’s declining economy and the disappearance of millions of jobs, someone needs to fix his mistakes. Kerry will cut taxes for business that create more jobs here rather than creating them overseas. This will keep transnational corporations centralized in America, where they started. Kerry will continue to support affirmative action and the spreading of diversity, allow immigrants to be legalized and continue allowing women the right to choose.

Kerry will end Bush’s bully tactics. He will regain our country’s international respect after Bush felt that we could act alone instead of assembling supporters or allies. Bush confused leadership with unilateralism. National security is important to everyone. After it was tested on Sept. 11, 2001, we need to have someone who is prepared for a next attack. However, a next attack won’t happen if America regains allies and respects the world community.

As college students, we need to start thinking of our future in terms of our jobs and our families. Do we want to be insecure in the possibility of finding a job outside of college? Our families are getting older — do we want to live knowing that our parents and grandparents cannot receive proper medication because it is unaffordable or because they do not qualify for medicare? Ladies, do we want to think for one second that we might not have control over our body? Boys, how do you feel knowing that you might be drafted for a war that you do not believe in?

Let’s make the right decision on Nov. 2. Think of your future, in all respects.

Katie Austen is a sophomore SMAD major.